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Wellbeing Life Hacks

Life Hack #95: Best Case/Worst Case/Most Likely

Have you ever found yourself dwelling on what could go wrong and the what ifs? Does your mind tend to veer toward the worst case scenario? It's a common experience, but it doesn't have to control your life. By incorporating the worst-case, best-case, and most-likely tool into your thinking, you can improve your mental health and wellbeing. When you find yourself worrying about something and going down that negativity hole, stop yourself and go through this process: first by considering the worst case scenario. And then flip it, what would be the best case scenario here? Since we can’t predict the future, either extreme probably isn’t the most likely. The most likely scenario is probably somewhere in between! Maybe the situation won’t turn out to be the best thing ever, but it just as likely won’t be a catastrophe. The perspective in the middle - the most likely scenario - can help to free us to be better problem solvers and planners. Worrying doesn’t tend to be very productive and this is one simple way to give us a better sense of control over our world.

Additional Resources

In 2025 we are highlighting weekly Life Hack Reflections which include five questions to help you better incorporate the Wellbeing Life Hack into your life in ways that work for you. If you would like to receive a weekly email with the Life Hack Reflections, register below.  

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